Kiwi

This week was spent with Jon Shuker in his workshop developing and building a couple of bass bodies I've designed. It involved 12 hour long working days mainly because so much care needed to be taken with measurements and making templates. That, AND I had to make life more complicated by choosing to do edge binding, a carved top and back. (Turns out the edge binding was a really good idea anyway for hiding all sorts of router slips!) However my experiences REALLY opened my eyes about what it takes to build good basses. 1) One of the things I wanted to learn was tolerances because different materials have different tolerances on different parts of the bass. I discovered that Jon isn't so much a craftsman as an engineer when it comes to joints. He effectively operates a zero tolerance policy...by that I mean, for things like gaps in joints and routing neck pockets...it's perfection or nothing. My conclusion? Sure we are aware of tolerance issues in 70's jazz basses but now I realise how sloppy even a mm gap in a neck joint is. 2) Operating on a zero tolerance basis for joints and neck pockets TAKES TIME...for example, it took me two hours alone just to measure up and rout the pickup template because it needed to be aligned with the neck properly (and even then I messed it up). Rough carving the top and back took the best part of three hours. (Even CNC milling of a carved top takes a long time to program so for a single instrument there is no advantage compared to doing it by hand.) Jon was also adamant that these things should not be rushed. For the basses I'm building, I've put in 53 hours in 4 days so far and while one body is ready for carving the top and back, the other hasn't had the edge binding or rear facing glued on. My conclusion? Never again will I question how long it takes to make a [i]completely[/i] custom bass (including templates) or hand crafted features like edge binding or a carved top. 3) The price of materials has gone up by 50% in the last 4 years. Exotic woods such as 5A quilted maple and electrical components like dual gang pots are being bulk purchased by Far East manufacturers as soon as they can find them. A modest slab of 4A flamed maple has gone up from 150 quid to 400 quid. Already my Noll preamps have gone from 190 to 300 euros. Hopefully there will be other sources of supply which Jon can help out with. My conclusion? Unfortunately for Mr Aspirational Bass Player, this means that both electronics and fancy woods will push the price of exotic basses through the roof once existing stocks have been used up. So...I don't want to sound like I'm an endorser so it goes without saying I recommend the course but if anyone wants more info, feel free to ask. The point I was left wondering about is whether we will be seeing the smaller one-man bands making custom exotic basses being priced out of the market and falling back on mainly repair work...?

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1376733495' post='2178472'] That's not a pick - it's an arrowhead. [/quote] Nah...this is an arrowhead... ...also made by Herdim. Each tip has a different thickness.

I really like Herdim triangular picks...nothing else feels as comfortable. Not a Herco I realise, but I never expected to have a strong preference in picks either.

Right...we ended up having to part company with current developer for reasons I won't go into. However, Ben who manages the server, is going to set something up hopefully by the end of NEXT WEEK!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1376662727' post='2177613'] How about the black Celinder that used to be the main image on the site home page? [/quote] The one that you now own that I used to own? [size=4]I'm not sure why it got removed to be honest. [/size] Thanks to FP for the nod about the Shuker though...it would be nice to think Jon's got a close relationship with many of us. He's a lovely, lovely chap...as is Chris Celinder!

Erm...

I liked your bass a lot! But I'd suggest getting some custom pickups made. Aaron Armstrong could make you some very sweet sounding coil spitting humbuckers almost identical to a very, very well known US manufacturer of exotic basses for 90 quid each. If he doesn't have the cases available, you could approach a luthier to make wooden cases. Re: preamps, you have loads of options depending on how much control you are looking for and which preamp best aligns with the sweet spots on the bass. I'd change the pickups first and then see how things sound.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1376321622' post='2172096'] Not exactly "vintage" is it? I mean, if you're only making it next week, I mean, stands to reason dunnit? [/quote] Don't care. I'll take my modern bass and make my own modern corner for contemporary customs. And it'll be decorated all nice and modern looking and you won't be allowed to play. So there. Then every so often someone will come over to your corner and ask if one of you could play 'Ain't Nobody' by Chaka Khan. Then snort derisively about the lack of a B string and question loudly and rhetorically whether serious bassists still play four string instruments.

If and when I get my backline back to the UK I think I might be putting in a request for a gold copy of the Celinder J's black scratchplate....congrats Nige, nice work Unk.

There is a very good chance I'll be bringing the bass I'm making next week...

Andy told me some years ago that he had some health issues and was intending to scale back the business. For example, sticking to specific product ranges and no longer doing custom winds. It's a real shame he couldn't keep things going though, he has a mountain of knowledge to share.

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1376160291' post='2170437'] [size=4](Still hoping for Guitarchat at some point BTW.....)[/size] [/quote] So are we...everything is ready to go, we just need the developer to pull finger and set it up.

Clearly it is a gift that he choose to share with us. We should feel grateful and blessed that we are given the opportunity to share the experience of this sincere expression of his inspiration with each other. And it will increase in Value.

Not guilty. The proper link wasn't posted. But it has been now.

Probably the first and last word in air drummers. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sf_pogZ8jE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sf_pogZ8jE[/url]

[quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1375475640' post='2162110'] Interesting and its your opinion. [size=4][/quote][/size] No, it's my advice. I know how forums work and I'm doing you a favour. [quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1375475640' post='2162110'] What you say also would mean that a "noob" you would give as much cred to as say Jess Oliver himself. So, then, absolutely no professional player with an endorsement can comment on anything they use with any credibility? Guess Victor Wooten's opinion on Fodera, or Billy Sheehan's opinions on Hartke, or any of the Warwick bass team carry any cred whatsoever? And my professional service and time and experience have NOTHING to do with my opinion? Rubbish. So, if I say that Markbass, Aguilar or Epifani suck, does my opinion count then? After all, I don't endorse them whatever. Oh wait, I'm sure you will say its because I endorse someone else's product that I'm saying that. (For the record, those companies and Carvin all make some really great, small package 500W amps that are fantastic.) The other interesting thing is that I, like most other bass players who endorse a product (with the exception of Nikki Sixx) do not play nor endorse any product which we haven't used or tested and really like. Putting my name behind a product is putting my reputation with it. I have turned down endorsements with several major amp and bass companies because I have a little integrity. I'm not sure what I've said here that would need "credibility" anyway. I asked for YOUR opinions. I didn't say it was the best, the greatest, blows away every amp on the market, is better then all the name brands and can slice bread and clean cars by itself. I asked your opinion of an amp I now am using and yes endorse. Who knows, maybe an insight here may lead to a better product, or inspire a new model that everyone may be interested in. I like it, and its my preference. [/quote] Indeed. But you're saying that after I've made you aware of the context it might be interpreted in. But, as you suggest, it's your choice. This is all offered without me pulling the hard line and making you aware that this is MY forum and you are a guest here. In that broader context, you could also be seen to be exploiting the good will I am extending you by allowing this thread to continue. But I have chosen not to see things in that way while I see you still still have an opportunity to become more aware. I'm nice like that sometimes.

[quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1375459267' post='2161767'] No. My opinion as someone with 35 years of professional bass playing behind me who uses mostly Hartke amps and cabs and has been looking for a small, lightweight amp of this caliber for years. Hey, we all know that Hartke heads are NOT small, compact and lightweight. My LH500, my current workhorse, And it weighs 25 lbs in its Gator soft rack case with cables. While not the heaviest, it sure is a lot to lug. Add to that the either 30 lb HyDrive 112 or the 70 lb HyDrive 4X10 and, well, that is a lot to lug. And, a lot of amps do NOT sound good paired with my Hartke cabs, at least to me, so I am selective for sure. Also, I have a Cerwin Vega Dan Armstrong Hot Cab, 210G, with an open back, that I have never found a good amp to drive it with. [url="http://www.danarmstrong.org/hotcabs3.html"]http://www.danarmstr...g/hotcabs3.html[/url] This one, so far, actually works very well with it, and produces great sound. And this cab weighs only 21 lbs. I hope this clears it up for you. [/quote] Your endorsement undermines the credibility of everything you say on the brand you are endorsing. Whether you play other equipment or not and how long you've been playing for is meaningless.

[quote name='TomRichards' timestamp='1375453894' post='2161652'] Yes, this amp is definitely not everyones cup of tea. But I think it merits a look,[/quote] In your opinion, as someone with a commercial interest in promoting this brand?

[quote name='markbunney' timestamp='1374683798' post='2151840'] They want chinos for men and cocktail dresses for women. We are a hard rock covers band and are going to end up looking like Michael Buble's backing band [/quote] How about dressing up like a hard rock covers band forced to wear chinos against its will? Rip those chinos at the knees, put studs and different coloured patches on etc. Charge the client for the cost of chinos.

Amazing and fun bit of kit. What a shame they're not made any more.

Did you part take of in house catering? I know the catering manager.

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1374669319' post='2151551'] Are you coming with us, Steve? I've added you below [/quote] I believe so! Still not sure if the Pangborn will be ready by then but the Shuker 6 should be.

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1375018703' post='2155785'] It depends. Do radical departures from original versions make you angry? (I do like this bass tone here though some may think it harsh). [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqgCN5dvc_Q[/media] [/quote] OK sounds a little boxy to me in the upper mids a bit like a Tobias. But this would be an asset if it sat lower in the mix. It reminds me of how a jazz might have been recorded in the 80's.